Marques Jackson, founder of DFW Elite, passes away

A pioneer of AAU girl’s basketball in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex and nationwide, Marques Jackson, 46, passed Sunday morning after suffering from a heart attack. Coaches and players began tweeting thoughts of sadness and heartbreak Sunday afternoon as the news broke across the women’s basketball spectrum.

Jackson, the father of New York Liberty forward and former Texas standout Tiffany Jackson, was known all-around the nation for his unselfish dedication to the development of girl’s basketball and unwavering support of his players.

The club team he helped found, DFW Elite, rose to the top echelon of girl’s club basketball in the nation in just seven years. Its alumnae include: Brittney Griner, Destini Hughes, Cokie Reed, Brooklyn Pope, Tierra Rogers, Kathleen Nash, Kristen Nash, Brittainy Raven, Jordan Madden, Takia Starks, his daughter and many more.

Next season’s college freshman include: Tiffany Moore (Texas), Akil Simpson (Southern Methodist), Kelsi Baker (Texas Tech) and the nation’s top point guard Odyssey Sims (Baylor). Baylor head coach Kim Mulkey’s daughter Makenzie, who will join the Lady Bears next season, played on the DFW Elite T-Jack squad alongside Sims, Simpson, Madden and Moore.

Funeral arrangements for Jackson announced on the DFW Elite website dfwelitebasketball.com:

Wake Services
Friday, April 16th, 2010 at 7:00pm CST
Freedom Missionary Baptist Church
3715 South Westmoreland Road
Dallas, TX 75233
http://www.freedommbc.org/

Funeral Services
Saturday, April 17th, 2010 at 12:30 p.m. CST
Freedom Missionary Baptist Church
3715 South Westmoreland Road
Dallas, TX 75233
** Viewing of the body will be BEFORE the services starting at 11:00am. No more viewing after the start of the services.

Funeral Home
Evergreen Memorial Funeral Home
6449 Houston School Road
Dallas, TX 75241
http://www.evergreenfuneral-home.com

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